N.S. premier questions ban from Indigenous community, doubles down on cannabis concern

Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston says he doesn’t understand why he wouldn’t be allowed on Sipekne’katik land.

Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston is maintaining his government’s push to crack down on illegal cannabis shops after admitting he doesn’t understand why he and two cabinet ministers were banned from entering a Mi’kmaw community this week.

Speaking with reporters at Province House on Wednesday, Houston called unlicensed cannabis shops a major public health and safety threat, linking parts of the unlicensed market to “potential organized crime.”

With organized crime come things like “human trafficking and money laundering,” Houston said. “We just want to protect Nova Scotians.”

The tensions escalated between the Houston government and Sipekne’katik First Nation on Tuesday when Chief Michelle Glasgow and band council passed a motion banning Houston, Attorney General and Justice Minister Scott Armstrong, and Leah Martin, minister responsible for L’nu Affairs, from the reserve near Shubenacadie.

A news release from Sipekne’katik labelled the three politicians as “undesirables” and warned of a $50,000 fine if they entered the community.

“This banning is not only for our protection, but for theirs,” Glasgow said in a news release.

The move followed last week’s press conference when Armstrong urged police across the province to step up enforcement of the illegal cannabis market, something he said was “getting out of control.”

Sipekne’katik’s leadership accused the province of making the announcement without meaningful consultation and not acting in the best interests of their community.

Houston said he was puzzled by the ban.

“To have somebody banned from the community with an ‘or else’ statement is kind of bizarre for me in Canada,” he said.

The premier added that he has heard from residents, including those in First Nations communities, who are frustrated by the explosion of unlicensed cannabis shops and the traffic they attract.

“I hear from lots of people who live in communities who are not happy with the illegal cannabis in their communities,” said Houston. “Not happy with the traffic that’s coming in, and the people that are coming to their communities to buy an illegal product.”

Houston said his government is willing to work with “anyone who wants to work with us” on public safety and cannabis regulation.

“I have one obligation,” said Houston. “That’s to do what I can for public safety and to uphold the law.”

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